Soft riders everywhere started making their excuses on Friday night as to why they couldn't ride with the Muddies this morning. Too cold, too wet, too sore.

This'll fix you up, a double shot espresso in a HTFU mug it worked for me. Phil "Schleck" Crick didn't need one, he warmed up by kissing the tarmac before the sun came up, got back on the bike and still rode like a man possessed.

Man of steel AVO (that's right, the carbon bike is dead) only had one gear but did that stop him. NO, but it nearly did, lots of zig-zagging up Education Rd, he added nearly 300m to the climb by the time he'd finished.

Michael's Italian job.

First to arrive at Hallett Cove this morning was Michael with his new Italian thoroughbred stallion, red ones go faster apparently. A great looking bike that went pretty good as well.

A slight route change saw us head along Lonsdale Hwy to Majors Rd then a fast, chilly descent down the Veloway to New India Market to catch up with Adam and Fraser. AVO and Baron were already waiting at the top of Flagstaff Hill for us so it was onward and upward up Flaggy Rd. Not a bad climb this one with a bike lane all the way up. Schleck the 3rd passed me near the top at some ridiculous speed and I couldn't help but jump on the back and enjoy a bit of a free drag along the flat section near the roundabout. Rumour has it he's looking at racing in the very near future, I reckon Frank and Andy better watch out.

We lost Richard at this point but he had already alerted me that he might do his own thing and meet up again at the cafe so we headed to Education Rd. I could see AVO up ahead in the distance, riding his single speed commuter bike, he took all the road and then some, as he zig zagged up the hill. I don't know how he made it, I was in 34/27 near the top and was still looking for a lower gear.

Regroup at top of Education.

Still no rain at this point but it was might cold, from here the ride was mainly downhill along Cox Hill towards O'Sullivans Beach then through the back blocks of Hallett Cove to Rimini.

Adam Willis (he of the dirty dozen fame) wasn't happy descending Cormorant Hill (bloody steep) he turned round and climbed it because "it was there". I had a visit from the puncture fairy and was last to arrive at Rimini (that's my story, and I'm sticking to it). here we enjoyed coffee, Eggs Benedict and a special treat someone brought along for all thos softies that stayed in bed.